Green Jobs

Get on board the green jobs train or get out of the way. Many publications criticize the sustainability movement and in some cases with good reason. Let the politicians and pundits have their debate. While they debate, I urge my loyal readers to adapt. If you fail to get on board you might find yourself criticizing sustainability from the unemployment line.

Stimulus money and legislation has shifted the sustainability movement from an idea to a reality. If you want to keep or find a job, you'd best follow the money. Right now the money flows toward green jobs. The green job shift affects every industry in American life. US News and World Report filed the following video report.

Always keep an eye out for a new job even when gainfully and happily employed. This old world's a changing. Today's job may disappear tonight. Survivors learn to innovate and adapt to change.

• Look at your own company. Like it or not companies will have to comply. Your company may have already started green marketing. In the future just having green in your brochure will not insure business. Companies will have to prove sustainability by creating and implementing sustainability plans. A wise employee who wants to advance or even preserve his/her job might start by drafting those plans. Have it in the ready.
• Look in your particular industry. The feds have started pouring money into innovative companies. Make connections with those innovators. Track the advances. See where your skills might enhance the advance. Turn over every stone. Sustainability will affect nearly every industry in America.
• Look outside your industry. Start with satellite industries related to yours and work your way out. Leverage your knowledge as much as possible. If you have limited exposure to sustainability practices, you will have plenty to learn as it is. The more knowledge you can bring to the new job the easier your transition to your new green job.
• Look at government and non-profits if you presently work in the private sector. Changes in industry infrastructure necessitate planning and policy. Live as a victim of change or a purveyor of it.  The following books will give you a starting place to explore green jobs.

How do I keep abreast of the green jobs market?

The Internet has websites devoted just to sustainability employment. Keeping up will require more of you than just looking at a job site, however. You have to get up to speed with the changes. Track the news internationally, nationally, and locally. The feed below brings in up to the minute sustainability news. You can start by coming back here on a regular basis and catching the latest updates.

Internet Search for Green Jobs

Look at the usual job sources like Monster.com, Craigslist, Fandago. Read your local paper for new industries moving in with sustainability openings. To search further, try search terms like “sustainability careers or green jobs.” Start with the following links to get you rolling.